sicklier

Adjective

sickly (comparative sicklier, superlative sickliest)

1. Frequently ill or in poor health; weakly.
   • a sickly child

   Synonyms:

   valetudinarian

2. Not in good health; (somewhat) sick.
   • Yes, bring me word, boy, if thy lord look well,
     For he went sickly forth:1599 (first performance), William Shakespeare, “The Tragedie of Iulius Cæsar”, in Mr. William Shakespeares Comedies, Histories, & Tragedies […] (First Folio), London: […] Isaac Iaggard, and Ed[ward]...
3. Characterized by poor or unhealthy growth. (of a plant)
   • [...] the good wheat on this land had turned sickly and yellow.1931, Pearl S. Buck, chapter 27, in The Good Earth, New York: Modern Library, published 1944, page 236
4. Appearing ill, infirm or unhealthy; giving the appearance of illness.
   • a sickly pallor
5. Shedding a relatively small amount of light; (of light) not very bright.
   • The Moon grows sickly at the sight of day.1665, John Dryden, The Indian Emperour, London: H. Herringman, published 1667, act II, page 17

   Synonyms:

   faint, pale, wan

6. Lacking intensity or vigour.
   • a sickly smile

   Synonyms:

   faint, feeble, insipid, weak

See all 14 meanings of sickly